Capturing/editing: Native HDV or Apple Intermediate Codec, etc.?
 

Do you capture and cut with the native HDV in Final Cut Pro 5, or maybe Apple Intermediate Codec (artifacting is gone, but it still captures slightly darker) or some other digital intermediate? Pros and cons of each one, too, please.

Thanks,

heath

Personally, I like to get into a a different codec immediately to save processing time during editing. I guess if you were on a super fast realtime-capable dual G5 this wouldn't be as big of a concern. I've done some side-by-side tests with the AIC and I would call it a lossless conversion, but some may disagree with me. If you really want to be safe with colour reproduction, then maybe converting HDV to an uncompressed 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 codec is the way to go.
I've also converted to DVCProHD for offline, but it always wants to go into Panasonic's 960x720.
All these conversions take time though. I'd say there isn't really one good workflow for everyone yet.

Hey Frederic, etc.:

If someone can come up with a Digital Intermediate like CineForm's that can capture footage and I can cut it in native HD, we'd pay for it!

heath